Penguins' 2009/2010 Schedule Released; Wallace, Lovejoy Sign Contracts

Yesterday, the NHL revealed it's 2009/2010 schedule and all the highlights that go along with it.

For the Pittsburgh Penguins' defense of the Stanley Cup, those highlights include:

- opening up the season at home against the arch-rival New York Rangers on 10-2-09, when the Penguins will raise their Stanley Cup and related banners to the rafers of Mellon Arena in its final season.

- visiting the New York Islanders the following night in the home debut of 2009 #1 overall Islanders draft pick John Tavares.

- 2 games against three Western Conference foes: the Minnesota Wild, Anaheim Ducks and yes, the Detroit Red Wings.

- 4 games against Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals, all from late January 2010 through the remainder of the season.

-5 road trips of four (4) or more games, including three 4-game trips and two 5-game trips. One of the 4-game trips is nearly paired with one of the 5-game trips to give Pittsburgh 9 of 11 on the road in one stretch. The other 5-game trip is a part of a stretch of 7 of 8 away from Mellona Arena later in the season.

- A 6 game home stand late in the season, before ending with two games on the road, against the Atlanta Thrashers and New York Islanders. In fact, 7 of the Penguins' last 8 games are against non-playoff teams from last year.

- And, of course, the Olympic break, from 2-14 to 3-1.

Meanwhile, in other Penguin news, the team signed free agent forward Tim Wallace and free agent defenseman Ben Lovejoy, both of which were in the organization last season.

Wallace signed a two-year, 2-way deal, while Lovejoy inked for one season. Financial terms of the contracts have not been released yet (at least not that I could find).

Wallace played in 16 games for Pittsburgh last season, putting up 2 helpers. He had 19 points in 58 games with the Baby Penguins last season.

Lovejoy, meanwhile -- the organ-I-zation's #7 defenseman -- had 7 goals and 24 assists for 31 points in 76 games at Wilkes-Barre. He did play 2 games with the big club last year, but didn't put up a point.

Inking Lovejoy and Wallace were two important depth signings for Pittsburgh, so it's good to see those guys back in the fold.